The origin and distribution of 19 priority pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in core sediments (<63 mu m) from the Sundarban mangrove wetland, northeastern part of Bay of Bengal, India, were investigated by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Sedimentary organic carbon and textural properties were also analyzed in order to assess the role of geochemistry on PAH distribution. Sigma(19)PAHs concentration in sediments showed wide variations from 9.4-4222.8 ng/g dry weight, with an overall increase of the high molecular PAHs in the deeper depth profiles. Fluoranthene, chrysene, and pyrene were the most abundant hydrocarbons in sediments and it can be explained by active inputs of soil materials due to frequent strong rainfalls in this tropical climatic zone. A rather exceptional prevalence of high molecular weight PAHs was substantiated: nearly 80% of Sigma(19)PAHs include fluoranthene (18-20%), chrysene (14-16%), and pyrene (10-11%). Carcinogenic compounds were present in moderately high (DBA, BkF, BbF) or negligible and low concentrations (BaP, InP) in a majority of cases. The PAH diagnostic ratios indicated that the PAHs in sediment cores were of pyrolytic origin, and that atmospheric deposition and land runoff may serve as the important pathways for PAHs input to the sediments. The total PAH levels were expressed as the benzo (a) pyrene toxicity equivalents (TEQ(carc)) making this compound a potential marker for PAH pollution. The baseline data can be used for regular ecological monitoring, considering the industrial and agricultural growth around this important estuarine environment. The results indicated that the PAHs in sediments of Sundarban wetland resulted in low to moderate ecosystem risk.

Distribution and ecosystem risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in core sediments of Sundarban mangrove wetland, India / S.K. Sarkar, A. Binelli, M. Chatterjee, B.D. Bhattacharya, M. Parolini, C. Riva, M.P. Jonathan. - In: POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC COMPOUNDS. - ISSN 1040-6638. - 32:1(2012), pp. 1-26. [10.1080/10406638.2011.633592]

Distribution and ecosystem risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in core sediments of Sundarban mangrove wetland, India

A. Binelli
Secondo
;
M. Parolini;C. Riva
Penultimo
;
2012

Abstract

The origin and distribution of 19 priority pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in core sediments (<63 mu m) from the Sundarban mangrove wetland, northeastern part of Bay of Bengal, India, were investigated by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Sedimentary organic carbon and textural properties were also analyzed in order to assess the role of geochemistry on PAH distribution. Sigma(19)PAHs concentration in sediments showed wide variations from 9.4-4222.8 ng/g dry weight, with an overall increase of the high molecular PAHs in the deeper depth profiles. Fluoranthene, chrysene, and pyrene were the most abundant hydrocarbons in sediments and it can be explained by active inputs of soil materials due to frequent strong rainfalls in this tropical climatic zone. A rather exceptional prevalence of high molecular weight PAHs was substantiated: nearly 80% of Sigma(19)PAHs include fluoranthene (18-20%), chrysene (14-16%), and pyrene (10-11%). Carcinogenic compounds were present in moderately high (DBA, BkF, BbF) or negligible and low concentrations (BaP, InP) in a majority of cases. The PAH diagnostic ratios indicated that the PAHs in sediment cores were of pyrolytic origin, and that atmospheric deposition and land runoff may serve as the important pathways for PAHs input to the sediments. The total PAH levels were expressed as the benzo (a) pyrene toxicity equivalents (TEQ(carc)) making this compound a potential marker for PAH pollution. The baseline data can be used for regular ecological monitoring, considering the industrial and agricultural growth around this important estuarine environment. The results indicated that the PAHs in sediments of Sundarban wetland resulted in low to moderate ecosystem risk.
Sediments ; PAHs ; sediment quality guidelines ; TEQ(carc) ; Indian Sundarban mangrove wetland ; ecosystem risk
Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia
2012
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/182391
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